I Am a Runner . . . Part II

Well, tonight I got the chance to put my last post to work. I had a 3-mile tempo run (plus 1-mile warm-up & 1-mile cool-down) on the schedule. According to my Runners' World Smart Coach, I was supposed to run said tempo run at about a 9:16 pace. I warmed up for the first mile at about a 10:00 pace, and then it was time to tackle the meat (mmm, yummy) of the tempo run. As I was running on the treadmill in the nice, cool air-conditioned gym, I went for the 6.5 setting . . . or a 9:13 pace.

For the first 5 minutes or so, I actually thought the pace seemed easier and more natural than the 10:00 pace . . . yeah, I should lay off the crack, I guess. Luckily, the crack wore off somewhere around a half-mile, and it was back to feeling like my legs might buckle under me. Thank you, four soccer games in four days!! Ha. As I began to struggle, I figured it was as good a time as any to put my "real runner?" game into play. "Are you a real runner, Irish?! Are you seriously going to b*tch out on this?! Can you really not finish a 3-mile tempo run?!" And that was motivation enough to bring me to the end. Sure, I might have stared at the display for the entire last mile-and-a-half, but I did it, gosh darn it!

After a nice cool down, I hopped into the shower and quickly got myself ready for dinner out with my friend, Kate! We tried out Dos Caminos - SoHo, and it definitely hit the spot! I needed some good "girl time," so it was very fun to get together. And I definitely thought I deserved an extra "prickly pear cactus margarita" as a result of my efforts! Mmm . . . prickly pear cactus margaritas . . . yummy :) I also enjoyed Mahi Mahi tacos and more guacamole than you can possibly imagine. Oh how I love being in marathon training!!

I think tomorrow is officially a real "rest day." I haven't had one in over a week, so I think it might just be about time ;) Almost to the weekend, folks--hang in there! Until next time . . .